Cutters on track despite loss

MACKAY Cutters coach Anthony Seibold is confident with the club's depth this season after a strong showing in the team's first trial.

Although the young STM Cutters lost 30-24 to the North Queensland Cowboys under-20 side on Saturday, Seibold believes the team is "heading in the right direction".

"I think it was a really positive start," he said.

"I was really impressed with where we are at physically."

However, he said the team's kicking game needed to improve.

In a close match that kept spectators on their toes, the Cutters - missing a host of top players - were in front with fewer than 10 minutes to go, before two quick Cowboys tries sealed the win for the visitors at Virgin Australia Stadium.

It was a marked improvement on the corresponding match last year, when the Cowboys won by 50.

"I think the young guys showed we've got a bit more depth than last year," Seibold said.

"All the players who put the jersey on put their best foot forward."

Halfback Damon Koolstra scored the first Cutters points of the year, converting his own try to give Mackay a 6-4 lead after the first quarter.

Dean Tass, Bureta Faraimo and Michael Comerford added to the try tally, while Sarina's Rogan Dean showed his pace with a four-pointer for the Cowboys.

Seibold said he was particularly impressed with fullback Tass's efforts and thought Comerford led the side well as captain.

Comerford certainly had the support of the crowd, with one group waving masks featuring the 22-year-old's face.